Replacement of the glove box panel in the nuclear fuel reprocessing facility

Yamamoto, Masahiko   ; Shirozu, Hidetomo ; Mori, Eito; Surugaya, Naoki 

The panels of glove box installed at Tokai Reprocessing Plant have been deteriorated and transparencies have been decreased due to the long-term use. Therefore, the panels have been replaced from the view point of preventive maintenance. In the new regulation formulated since the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant accident, it is demanded that the glove box consists of incombustible or inflammable materials. In this replacement, new panels have been manufactured with polycarbonate which satisfied the UL94 V-0 incombustible class. The inside of glove box has been contaminated with radioactive materials. Thus, the contamination and operator's exposure have been investigated. Then radiation protection equipment have been selected. Also, it is necessary to maintain the glove box enclosure during the replacement. The replacement has been conducted by covering the opening parts with vinyl sheets. The enclosure function has been verified by the inspection of the new panels and glove box.